FLC – Camper Survivorship Fund

Thank you for your consideration in making a contribution to our Camper Survivorship Fund. Through the inspiration of co-owner Geoff Blanck, Forest Lake Camp has established a scholarship fund to provide children who have been affected by cancer an opportunity to attend a summer at Forest Lake Camp. As you will learn from Geoff’s letter below he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2016. Today we are thrilled to announce that Geoff is cancer FREE, however, the Camper Survivorship Fund has carried on and each summer generous donations help children who have been affected with cancer experience the magic of an FLC summer. Last summer Annebelle joined us through the survivorship fund, below is her mother’s reflections on Annebelle’s experience at FLC.

Camp was life changing for Annebelle. FLC and all the great people has influenced her in such a positive way and has sharpened her reasoning and cognition. Randomly, she’ll start talking about something that happened there or describe her experiences to me. It’s so endearing…one afternoon, she was singing the camp song. All I heard was the pride and affection in her voice for a place that she loves. She even sleeps in the FLC shirt!! So, in short, FLC means so much to her and has taught her so much. Emphatically, she can’t wait to come back!

We look forward to working together to bring Geoff’s vision to life. Making a donation is easy, and all gifts are tax-deductible through the American Camp Association. Thank you for your support!

Click here to read Geoff's letter to friends and family

Hello Friends and Family,

On Saturday March 5, 2016 I went to the Dr. due to a persistent cough. A few hours later I was told there was a tumor in my chest and a couple days later diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Just 16 days later, March 21, I start the biggest fight I have had to embark on and while the prognosis is much better than it could be I would be a fool to not say I am scared for what lies ahead. No way possible would I be ready for this without the incredible support of friends and family. Cancer touches all and I am in this with an army of support behind me.

The emotional roller coaster has been like nothing that I can imagine or describe. The highs have been high and the lows have been low. If it were not for my friends and family then the lows would have been much lower and the highs might not have even existed. Thank you.

I have had a lot of time to think and reflect. My initial thoughts of fear have moved to readiness to fight, and with it I have been thinking a lot about not only how to fight for myself, but for others who are suffering or who have suffered with this awful disease. As many friends have shared with me, you never think it will happen to you, until it does.

Untold numbers of family, friends, and friends of friends, have asked what you can do to help. The support is inspiring and the help we have already received and I know will continue to receive will get me, Shalagh, Emma and Annecy through all of this nonsense.

There is one more way you can help – help me with an idea, a big idea. One that has been brewing for several days now and for me can turn this experience into something far bigger than what I will go through and hopefully change many lives for the better for years to come.

As most of you know I own a traditional summer camp called Forest Lake Camp with a great friend from business school – Tobin Kelly. We consider ourselves blessed to support the development of nearly 300 children each summer. Every year I am inspired by what kids can accomplish when provided with a safe, secure, encouraging environment to try new things, take on new responsibilities and be leaders in their own growth.

When we bought camp we established a scholarship fund which has assisted dozens of children who otherwise could not afford camp to have a life shaping experience.

With your offers of help, I think we can do more. A lot more.

My hope is that together we can create a dedicated fund to raise funds for child cancer survivors to experience the wonders of FLC. So as I begin my own personal fight I hope you’ll join me in embarking on a parallel fight to help children affected by cancer. Whether it is $5 or $5 Million (ok joke) every single dollar will help a child attend camp where they will grow, prosper and expand their mind, body and spirit.

If you would like to help, any donation is fully tax-deductible through our relationship with the American Camp Association where we have set up what we are calling the Camper Survivorship Fund. All gifts can be company matched and every dollar will be invaluable. We will work with the hospitals that have already taken care of me to identify children to receive this wonderful gift. My hope is to start something where we will keep giving to child cancer survivors for years to come.

Thank you for all your positive vibes, jokes, inspiration and love and also helping me spread it to many brave children in the future.